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Drama at Abuja Airport as Security Operatives Allegedly Move to Arrest El-Rufai

Counsel to former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has condemned what he described as an unlawful attempt by security operatives to arrest his client upon arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Wednesday afternoon.

In a statement issued in Abuja on February 12, 2026, Ubong Esop Akpan of the Chambers of Ubong Akpan alleged that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attempted to arrest El-Rufai shortly after he arrived on Egypt Air flight MS 877 from Cairo.

According to the statement, the action followed an earlier invitation reportedly extended to El-Rufai by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The legal team argued that the invitation was delivered to his residence while he was outside the country, making immediate compliance impracticable.

Akpan stated that his chambers had, since December 2025, communicated with the EFCC on El-Rufai’s behalf, assuring the commission of his willingness to honour the invitation upon his return. He added that the EFCC was formally notified that El-Rufai would voluntarily appear at its office by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026.

The statement further alleged that security operatives at the airport did not present an arrest warrant or a formal letter of invitation when they moved to detain him. It also claimed that El-Rufai’s international passport was seized during the incident.

Witnesses at the airport were said to have protested the attempted arrest, insisting that due process be followed.

El-Rufai’s counsel described the development as a violation of constitutional safeguards, citing provisions relating to personal liberty, fair hearing, dignity of the human person, freedom of movement and protection of property under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

“There exists no justifiable basis for this attempted arrest,” the statement said, maintaining that the former governor had returned to Nigeria voluntarily after medical treatment abroad and remained ready to respond to any lawful summons.

The legal team demanded the immediate return of El-Rufai’s passport, an end to what it termed unlawful attempts to detain him, and a formal apology from the relevant authorities. It also indicated that legal action would be pursued against individuals and agencies allegedly involved in the incident.

As of press time, there was no official response from the DSS or the EFCC regarding the allegations.

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